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Revelation |
These things says he that holdeth the seven
stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden
candle sticks(Rev2:1)
Stars-Servants of God Right Hand-Power of God Midst of the Seven golden sticks-all knowing God Candlesticks-a candlestick burns brightly not of itself, but because of the oil. Its the due to the power of the Holy spirit that a person can shine for God. The gifts of the Holyspirtit are in operation due to the presence of lord in their midst. so there is nothing to boast of when it is used for God. The gifts mentioned in (Ephesians4:11) and five fold ministry (ICor12:28) Gods gift has to be used for God's glory and not for self gratification. |
| Reproach | 'Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee because
thou has left thy first love' (Rev
2:4)
There are two visions of this church (1) as seen by God. (2)as seen by man man when he sees in his church good works,patience,unable to bear evil, etc when man looks at these qualities in himself, he becomes satisfies, and justifies himself. but God sees the church differently. Fault of this church was that they had 'left' their 'first love' once they had realized that they were miserable sinners that the lord had wonderfully saved. People start feeling that God should be grateful for them. and here they fall from the first love. A Christian who dos not live in the grace of God is fallen. 'By Grace we stand'(Romans5:2). grace sustains us, we need to realize that unworthiness and trust wholly in the Lord of grace, We are able to recieve'Abundance of grace and...reign in life by one, Jesus Christ'(Romans5:17)then God sustains us we read that we fall from grace when the root of bitterness springs up in our heart(Hebrews12:15) Do not leave the fervor, the zeal, let the fruit of Love for God grow. And do not be deceived |
| Remedy | 'Remember therefore form whence thou art fallen, and
repent and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and
will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent' (Rev2:5)
search your mind and go back to where you were in the beginning. Repent! stop all other works and do the 'First Works' . the work done with a heart full of gratitude, with the realization of unworthiness to do anything for God, and prompted by love. this illustration was given by Jesus when he told the parable of the vineyard. people agreed to work for a penny wage and those who are told whatsoever is right I will give you. first group deserved the fixed wages, but complaint and self satisfaction came in and they fell. and second set came in late but never the less did work with out complaints and got paid the similar amount. If repentance is not there God can remove the candlestick. and she ceases to be the church of God. |
| Reward | 'To him that over cometh I will give to eat
of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God'(Rev2:7)
the church must know her reward. In ephesians(1:16) St.Paul prayed that the eyes of the understanding of Ephesians believers might be enlightened so that they could see what was reserved for them. The overcomer is given to eat of the tree of life in the midst of Paradise(Rev2:7 & 22:2). Adam was denied the tree of life after he had sinned. This privilege id restores to the overcomer in the New Testament. The tree of life is on either side of the river of life, which proceeds from the throne of God and of the Lamb. |
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